The Inpatient Pharmacist is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice, who is responsible for all the medication therapy management, admission through discharge, of an assigned panel of inpatients. Working with the interdisciplinary team and through clinical assessment, the incumbent implements, documents, and monitors pharmacotherapeutic care plans. This position also serves as preceptor for pharmacy students and residents.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education. Graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the 1 graduate is able to provide proof of achieving the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission (FPGEC) Certification, which includes passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet- Based Test (TOEFL iBT). Licensure. Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure. Exception. Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed. Failure to Obtain License. In all cases, pharmacists must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed pharmacist with the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to become licensed within 2 years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-11 Pharmacist Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. References: VA Handbook 5005/55The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12 Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Major Duties: Participates in a patient-focused, team-based multi-disciplinary model of patient centered care to promote positive patient outcomes through direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers. Documents patient care and clinical activities and interventions in the medical record and in other documentation systems as appropriate. Provides clinical care in anticoagulation, pharmacokinetics, and other areas as assigned. Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Inpatient pharmacists are also encouraged to maintain Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. Pharmacists assigned to routinely cross-cover the ICU pharmacist will maintain ACLS certification. Provides drug information Observes patient response to therapy Develops appropriate treatment plans including treatment alternatives or additional interventions to maximize patient care outcomes taking into consideration choice of therapy, safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomics. Performs all inpatient clinical pharmacy roles in an efficient, professional manner including profile review and medication optimization, antimicrobial stewardship, anticoagulation, medication reconciliation, educating patients and caregivers on medication use, optimizing medication use upon transitions in care, and other program duties and assignments as developed and implemented by the department. Participates as a proactive member of the interdisciplinary care team. Solves problems with other disciplines in the practice area, and participates regularly in patient care rounds Serve as primary preceptor for pharmacy student and residents Reports actual and/or potential medication errors and adverse events utilizing the facility'sreporting systems. Participates in quality improvement initiatives to promote patient safety. Participates in inpatient work groups to develop and optimize processes to ensure the most efficient, safe, effective, educational, patient-centered, and team-focused patient care. Work Schedule: Days, Evenings, Weekends, Holidays; NO overnights Telework: Ad Hoc ONLY Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required